In the fight against ISIS, Predators and Reapers prove close-air support bona-fides

Army Times: CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — While the words “close-air support” bring to mind the venerable A-10 Warthog, unmanned Predator and Reaper drones are increasingly assuming that role in battles against the Islamic State group, particularly in constrained urban environments like that of Mosul.

Unmanned aircraft, called remotely piloted aircraft or RPAs in the U.S. Air Force’s parlance, have been a cornerstone of the U.S. military’s air campaign against ISIS over the past two years.

Read article